13 Sep 2015

After two bad defeats in a row (and eight losses in the last sixteen games overall), the pressure is well and truly back on for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. Reds fans are understandably calling for change, but who are the top candidates to take over at Anfield.

According to UK Bookmakers, the top five candidates to replace Rodgers are as follows:

* Jurgen Klopp: 9-4

* Carlo Ancelotti: 6-1

* Frank De Boer: 8-1

* Ronaldo Koeman: 8-1

* Rafa Benitez: 10-1

Klopp, Ancelotti (who has won FIVE European Cups as player and manager), De Boer, and Benitez are regularly linked with the Liverpool job. Koeman is a new name on the list, but after his impact at Southampton, it's no surprise whatsoever that the Dutchman is on the list. Consider the following:

* 2013-14: Southampton finished 8th in the Premier League on 56 points.

* That summer, the Saints lost Lallana, Lovren, Lambert, Rodriguez (Saints' top scorer) and Shaw, five of the club's most important players that season.

* Southampton also lost their manager, Mauricio Pocchetino, which added to the club's problems.

* For context: During the 2013-14 season, Lovren, Shaw, Lallana, Rodriguez, and Lambert were *more* important to Southampton (in relative terms) than Suarez and Sturridge for Liverpool. Prem Stats:

- SAS: Scored 53 of LFC's 101 goals, which is 52% of overall league goals for the season.

- Lovren, Shaw, Lallana, Rodriguez, and and Lambert scored 39 of Southampton's 55 goals, which is 71% of overall league goals for the season.

* Koeman (who'd never managed in the Premier League before) took over at St. Mary's, and immediately had to deal with replacing Southampton FIVE most important players.

* Rodgers lost only ONE key player outright: Luis Suarez. Sturridge spent much of the following season injured, but still made 18 apps, and the Rodgers still had Gerrard and Sterling at his disposal.

* 2014-15: Southampton finished 7th on 60 points (a four point improvement) and qualified for the Europa League.

* Despite the massive disparity in transfer spending, Liverpool finished just two points ahead of Southampton in 6th place, a regression of 22 points on the season before.

Whatever way you slice it, Koeman is an enticing option for Liverpool, and his achievement at Southampton last season is absolutely stunning.

Just imagine if Liverpool lost Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling, Henderson, and Gerrard in the summer of 2013, which is comparable - in relative terms - to Southampton's loss of Shaw, Lovren, Lallana, Rodriguez, and Lambert.

The club probably would've been relegated.

Koeman got it right in his first ever season in English football. Rodgers - who has much more experience of the Premier League - continues to get it wrong at Anfield, despite spending significantly more than most clubs in the league.